Prissian - Prissiano

The beautiful Katzenzungen Castle, with the Versoaln - probably the world's oldest grape vine - guards the picturesque village of Prissian, a fraction of Tisens, which belongs to the holiday region of Tisens-Prissian.

The village of Prissian is located on a sunny plateau in the Tisner low mountain range. The village is situated in a wonderful location at an altitude of 610 metres between the cities of Bolzano and Merano. In addition to tourism and handicrafts, the agricultural sector continues to play a major role in the village. The Tisen chestnuts, the so-called "Keschtn", which can be tasted together with the new wine at the traditional Törggelen in autumn, are particularly well known.

The village is not far from the Texelgruppe Nature Park. On countless hiking and walking trails you can experience unforgettable moments in an intact nature. Fantastic panoramas are guaranteed. Prissian is also an ideal starting point for exciting bicycle and mountain bike tours in the Burggrafenamt and Venosta Valley. A well developed network of cycle paths offers the possibility to explore the surroundings on two wheels. The area around Prissian is also attractive for its numerous castles and palaces, which are located in the immediate vicinity. The village owes its nickname "Burgendorf" to numerous silent witnesses of the past, such as Wehrburg Castle, Fahlburg Castle, Zwingenburg Castle, the residences of Liedl and Greifenegg and Katzenzungen Castle. The latter also contains a special feature. Here you will find the largest vine in Europe: the Versoaln, with an area of about 300 m².

The best-known personality of the village is probably Kanonikus Michael Gamper, a priest and publicist who is known for his commitment to the German and Ladin community in South Tyrol as well as to the fight against fascism and National Socialism.